Cannondale Trial 7 for $399, is this site trustable?

[tomtom123]

was thinking of getting a walmart bike but "bike snobs" told me not to. I found this cannodale trial 7 on this site for $399 which normally retails for $550.

http://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.com/product/13cannondale-trail-7-179466-1.htm

1) so is this site trustable?
2) and also honestly is this bike even worth the retail price cause i know it's an "entry bike" but for $550, alot of the parts used on it are cheap and not that great. The disc brakes got horrible reviews. i feel like i can get a walmart bike with a reliable frame like the schwinn sidewinder and upgrade it with better parts than the default trial 7 parts and it'll still be cheaper than the cannondale trial 7.

 

[Chalo]

It's not a bad buy at $400, not a great buy at $550. Since Cannondales went all-Chinese in 2009, they're just commodity bikes like anything else.

To be fair, a lot of what you're supposed to be getting for your "full retail price" is skilled assembly and adjustment, and ongoing support from a qualified service shop including perks like a free tuneup and discounts on accessories. If you buy mail order, you don't get any of that, so the price should be less.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Those "bike snobs" might have saved you from buying a "WallyBike" designed for about 12 months of useful life...just saying.

 

[dogman dan]

I have one walbike I still ride often. I only had to replace nearly everything to keep it going. I had two, so I had some spare parts when I needed them. I needed them quick.

It aint ideal for sure. Especially those unbelievably cheap wheels. Even just one left on the bike won't last.

No idea about the price, but unless you are a decent backyard bike mechanic, you can't underestimate the value of getting the bike set up and tuned when you buy it. Take a walbike to most lbs, they tell you get lost. At least a decent bike you take to one later they will touch it.

 

[dogman dan]

Looking at the bike, it looks ok for a commuter to me. Better than walcrap wheels, tektro discs are at least OK, the fork has 100mm travel, plenty for street potholes. Shouldn't have to replace the crank like you would on a walbike. 7 speed rear gears, just like your hubmotor will have.

Zooming in on the rear dropouts, they look compatible with a torque arm. Nothing sticking out to interfere with the plate alignment. I'm assuming rear hubmotor since the forks are suspension forks. Decent enough triangle to carry a battery.

Looks ok to me, at about the price I recommend spending. Go higher and just cry more when it gets stolen. Go lower and end up spending on cranks, wheels, brakes, shifters, saddles.